AFTER many years in journalism, and about five as a government spokesman, I think I can confidently write about tips in this kind of endeavor. First, ridicule what can be ridiculed, or must be ridiculed. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. surprisingly demonstrated this "trick" the other day. After he had already turned his back to leave at an impromptu press conference with reporters in Cavite the other day, he faced them again and said with a mischievous smile, "Welcome to Hokkaido!" He then guffawed wildly, turned around and left, waving goodbye. He was responding to rumors in social media that he...